[Mitch]

The strongest hurricane of the season is still lingering off the coast of Honduras this moring.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-La Cieba, Honduras;]

More than 45- thousand people have been evacuated from coastal and low- lying areas as the storm pummels Honduras with driving rain and fierce winds.
Belize is also being hard hit.
Nearly all 75- thousand people living in Belize City have evacuated.
[SUPER=03-Cancun, Mexico;]
[4:07:44]
As Mitch moves slowly westward, toward Mexico's northern Yucatan peninsula, tourists in resorts like Cancun and Cozumel are also scrambling to get out.
The hurricane has been downgraded to a Category Four storm, but forecasters say it's still very strong and dangerous.
(----------------)
[Glenn]
[ANCHOr=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=Morn]
[WRITER=mel]
[TAPE#net]
[GRAPHIC=Hurricane Mitch]

On its current track Mitch is not expected to affect tomorrow's historic launch of Discovery.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kennedy Space Center, FL;]
[4:03:53]
John Glenn will be in the passenger seat, today, when he joins his shuttle crewmates for a spin.
They'll get one last chance to sharpen their flying skills when they take to the skies over the Kennedy Space Center in jetplanes.
This mission will last more than 8 days.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
((GLENN//SHUTTLE ASTRONAUT:
"THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT WE'RE ABOUT ON THIS, MOST OF THEM, ARE DESIGNED
TO BENEFIT PEOPLE RIGHT BACK HOME." ))
[SUPER=01-John Glenn/Astronaut;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=TO BENEFIT PEOPLE RIGHT BACK HOME.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Especially older people.
When Glenn went into space in 19-62 there were 17 million people over age 65.
Today there are twice as many.
(----------------)

And it can really mess up your plans... Teacher Debbie Boone is supposed to be honeymooning in Jamaica, right now.
[SOT 02:53:54]
[IN Q=when an area]
((DEBBIE BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; WHEN AN AREA HAS A WARNING THAT MEANS YOU'RE IN DANGER OF BEING HIT, AND THAT'S WHY MRS. BOONE DIDN'T GO ON HER HONEYMOON BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE GOING TO FLY OUT SUNDAY, JAMAICA, ON THE NEWS, WAS ALL IN RED))
[RUNS13]
[OUT Q=all in red]

Wrapped up in wedding plans, Debbie and new husband Alexander didn't find out till the reception, that Mitch was headed for their Jamaican resort... called, ironically..."Swept Away".
[SOT 09:20:30]
[IN Q=]
((ALEXANDER BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; WE JOKED THAT WE'D GET DOWN THERE AND THE RESORT WOULDN'T BE THERE, OR WE'D GET DOWN THERE AND BE EVACUATED INTO A SMALL SCHOOL IN JAMAICA WITH A BUNCH OF SANDBAGS))
[RUNS13]
[OUT Q=bunch of sandbags]

Much of Mitch missed Jamaica, then the next disaster hit, the airline wanted to charge them for missing their flight.
[SOT 09:21:14]
[IN Q=and then we]
((ALEXANDER BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM;AND THEN WE FOUND OUT THAT THE RESORT ALSO WANTED TO PENALIZE US EACH NIGHT THAT WE WERE A NO SHOW ))
[RUNS06]
[OUT Q=were a no show]

The airline finally agreed to waive the penalty, we called the resort and were told they were dropping the extra charges too.
Turns out the delay was for the best... Alexander gets to wrap up a major project at his lawfirm firm...
And Debbie got a chance to teach her kids a lasting lesson about mother nature.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 09:24:40]
[IN Q=they will always]
((DEBBIE BOONE/HURRICANE VICTIM; THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER IT BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING REAL TO THEM, THAT IS NOW EMBEDDED IN THEIR MEMORY.
[ERIC]
YOU'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER IT TOO?
OH YES, DEFINITELY))
[RUNS10]
[OUT Q=yes, definitely]

Cressell is charged with brutal July 19-97 killing of Garnett "G-P" Johnson.
Prosecutors say Cressell and Louis Ceparano doused Johnson with gasoline, set him on fire, then beheaded his corpse.
Ceparano entered an Alford plea in May.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=None]

We'll have more from Grayson County later today on News-7 at Noon.

[Poindexter]

The two Roanoke police officers placed on "administrative leave" for their roles in apprehending a suspect who died in their custody Friday night have been identified.
The city manager's office identified the officers as R-A Johnson and M-L Pendleton.
They remain on the police department payroll.
The city points out that this is NOT punishment... that Pendleton and Johnson will be on leave only while the internal investigation is conducted.

Derek Poindexter died after being sprayed with pepper spray at the city jail.[1-Sports]

((Bob Goodlatte has been navigating the currents of Congress for six years, and he's proud of the progress.
[SOT 01:50:13]
[IN Q=I think it's really a dramatic]
((BOB GOODLATTE: I THINK IT'S REALLY A DRAMATIC TURNAROUND FROM THE SITUATION THAT WAS IN WASHINGTON JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.))
[RUNS07]
[OUT Q=just a few years ago.]

In 1998, Goodlatte is running on a theme of promises made, promises kept. He says the Republican majority has delivered on its commitment to balance the budget, cut taxes, and reform welfare.
[BOWERS/GOODLATTE TAPE 00:20:28]
[IN Q=My opponent]
((DAVID BOWERS: MY OPPONENT WHO WE THOUGHT WAS A MODERATE REPUBLICAN WHEN WE SENT HIM TO WASHINGTON SIX YEARS AGO, HAS INSTEAD VOTED CONSISTENTLY WITH THE FAR RIGHT EXTREME.))
[RUNS10]
[OUT Q=with the far right extreme.]

His opponent paints a different picture, but Goodlatte bristles at David Bowers' suggestion that he's hoodwinked the voters.
[SOT 01:51:13]
[IN Q=If my opponent]
((IF MY OPPONENT IS GOING TO RUN A NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN, I THINK THEY SEE THROUGH THAT. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS I RAN IN 1992, AND IN EVERY ELECTION SINCE THEN ON THE PLATFORM THAT I'M RUNNING ON THIS TIME, AND IT'S ONE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, OF PROMOTING THE FREE ENTERPRISE SYSTEM, REDUCING THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, RETURNING POWER TO THE PEOPLE.))
[RUNS25]
[OUT Q=returning power to the people.]

As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Goodlatte has found himself in the national spotlight.
[JUDICIARY COMMITTEE 98-56 01:00:26]
[IN Q=No person is above the law]
((NO PERSON IS ABOVE THE LAW, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.))
[RUNS04]
[OUT Q=including the president of the United States.]

But he is also making a name for himself on other issues including food stamp fraud, and high tech questions raised by the growth of the internet and other emerging technologies.
[SOT 01:50:28]
[IN Q=But we have to continue]
((BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO SLOW THE RATE OF SPENDING BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TO RETURN DOLLARS BACK TO LOCALITIES AND CUT TAXES TO PUT MONEY BACK IN THE POCKETS OF TAXPAYERS.))
[RUNS12]
[OUT Q=is turned around.]

Back in the Sixth District, Goodlatte owns an overwhelming lead in campaign fundraising.
[NAT SOUND WITH SUPPORTERS AT FUNDRAISER]
[IN Q=Hey Ruth Anne]
((HEY RUTH ANNE, HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO SEE YOU.))
[RUNS04]
[OUT Q=good to see you.]

When he first ran for Congress, Goodlatte said he'd serve no more than 12 years in the House. He's halfway there... And voters willing, Goodlatte says that's another commitment he intends to keep.
Joe Dashiell News 7))

[Boucher]

Congressman Rick Boucher is not a flashy campaigner.
He hopes to win votes with substance, rather than style.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=203-Blacksburg;]

On the campaign trail yesterday, he touted one of his accomplishments in Congress:
Helping to win federal money to pay heating bills for low-income families in Southwest Virginia.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10 36 38]
[IN Q=we only]
((CONGRESSMAN RICK BOUCHER: WE ONLY HAVE NINE PERCENT OF VIRGINIA'S POPULATION, BUT WE GET 25 PERCENT OF THE LOW-INCOME HEATING BENEFITS THAT ARE SPENT IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR SOUTHWEST VIRGINIANS.))
[SUPER=201-Rep. Rick Boucher/(D) 9th District;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=southwest virginians]
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[SS=HOLD]

Boucher has said that, in Congress, he's more of a workhorse than a show horse.

[Health-Check]

In medical news, viagra may be grounded when it come to airline pilots.
Rick Jackson has that story and more in this morning's Health check.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=01-Rick Jackson/Reporting; :00 ]
[RUNS=1:17]
[OUT Q=CBS News, New York.]
(( GOOD MORNING.
A NEW STUDY FINDS THAT WOMEN SUFFER MORE SEVERE FIRST-TIME HEART
ATTACKS THAN MEN.
VT=VO
((vo))
ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN TODAY'S JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION...
HEART FAILURE APPEARS TO BE DEADLIER IN WOMEN BECAUSE OF CERTAIN
CONDITIONS THAT ARISE... SUCH AS LIFE-THREATENING RHYTHMIC PROBLEMS AND
CARDIAC SHOCK.
RESEARCHERS SAY THE SEVERITY OF THESE ATTACKS--AND NOT A WOMAN'S AGE
OR HEALTH-- MAY BE THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE HIGHER DEATH RATE AMONG
FEMALE HEART ATTACK VICTIMS.//
VT=VO
((vo))
NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT A NAME WITH A FACE.. SEEMS TO BE PLAYING A KEY
ROLE IN THE TREATMENT OF AIDS.
A CALIFORNIA STUDY FOUND THAT ANONYMOUS H-I-V SCREENING ENCOURAGED
MORE PEOPLE TO GET TESTED AND SEEK EARLY TREATMENT.
ANONYMOUS TESTING IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN 39 STATES.
THERE ARE SOME STATES WHERE NAMES ARE REQUIRED... BUT THE CENTERS FOR
DISEASE CONTROL SAYS THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE NOT SERIOUSLY DETERED PEOPLE
FROM GETTING CHECKED.//
VT=VO
((vo))
AIRLINE PILOTS WHO TAKE VIAGRA ARE BEING URGED TO LEAVE THE LITTLE
BLUE PILLS AT HOME... AND FLY SOLO.
FLIGHT DOCTORS WITH THE F-A-A ARE WARNING PILOTS THAT VIAGRA COULD
IMPAIR A PERSON'S ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE COLORS, BLUE AND
GREEN.
THOSE TWO COLORS HAPPEN TO BE THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED IN COCKPIT
DISPLAYS... AND ON AIRPORT RUNWAYS.
F-A-A OFFICIALS SAY SO FAR, THEY DON'T KNOW OF ANY ACCIDENTS LINKED
TO THE DRUG.//
AND THAT IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S MEDICAL NEWS.
I'M RICK JACKSON, CBS NEWS, NEW YORK.))
(ad lib to weather)

Here's a look at today's top stories.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

One American is among the dozen people reported killed by Hurricane Mitch.
It remains a dangerous storm, though top winds are down to 140 miles-an-hour. Honduras and Belize are being pounded with strong winds and heavy rain, with up to 20 inches forecast for some spots.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kim]

A settlement has been reached between Olympic Gymnast Dominique Moceanu
and her parents.
The agreement comes one week after Dominique, the 17-year-old gold
medallist, ran away from home and sued her parents for her independence.
(----------------)
[ANCHOR=Melanie]
[ss=none]

New York City's mayor says the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade could take place without the traditional balloons if it gets too windy.
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani told reporters yesterday that if the weather gets bad -- everything will be grounded for the sake of public safety.
(----------------)
[anchor=Kimberly]

And that's what's making news on this Wednesday, October 28th.
[anchor=Melanie]

News 7 Mornin' will be right back.

[E-L'burg-Council]

Whether it's a lack of parking or a shortage of things to do, downtown Lynchburg is "not" a popular destination for tourists OR residents.
But city council hopes to change that with a newly approved riverfront revitalization plan will change all that.
Steve Smallshaw reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=If you know]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Stellmon/Business Owner; :25]
[SUPER=@ssm1; :34]
[SUPER=01-Rachel Flynn/Lynchburg City Planner; :50]
[RUNS=1:11]
[OUT Q=News7, Lynchburg.]

(( If you know where to look, you can see some of the changes that have already been made along the riverfront.
This intersection near Jefferson Street has been repaved, with new brick sidewalks and plantings and a pathway down to the James River.
Lynchburg hopes to add the same cosmetic touches elsewhere.. adding new benches, lighting and sidewalks.
The idea is to make downtown more attractive.. not just to tourists, but to city residents who normally avoid the area.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 4:37:29]
[IN Q=Having been]
((MICHELLE STELLMON/BUSINESS OWNER: HAVING BEEN DOWN HERE, I KNOW THAT MY BEST CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN PEOPLE FROM OUT OF TOWN. WE REALLY NEED TO BRING THE AWARENESS TO OUR TOWN.))
[RUNS:08]
[OUT Q=to our town.]
(/////SOT/////)
[Standup ]
[IN Q=Many feel]
((Many feel part of the problem is that downtown shuts down after 5 o'clock. Except for the occasional restaurant, all of the shops and businesses have closed for the night, and there's almost no one on the streets. City officials hope the new plan will help change that perception, and make this area the place to be both day and night.))
[RUNS:17]
[OUT Q=day and night.]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 6:03:29]
[IN Q=Once it's ]
((RACHEL FLYNN/LYNCHBURG CITY PLANNER: ONCE IT'S SUCCESSFUL, THEN I THINK PEOPLE WILL COME BACK BECAUSE THEY REALIZE THAT IT'S SAFE, NUMBER ONE, THERE IS THAT SENSE OF ORDER, IT'S BEATIFUL.. ALL THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE LOOK FOR.))
[RUNS:10]
[OUT Q=people look for.]

Of course it will cost money.. at least a million dollars a year for the next five years.
City council approved the concept Tuesday.. how to fund it will be decided later.
Steve Smallshaw, News7, Lynchburg.))

[County-Supers]

The plans for a new Roanoke County high school may have dominated recent headlines, but last night parents pushing another school construction project took their case to the Board of Supervisors.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

They support the renovation and expansion of Glenvar Middle School... a project that is also part of the first phase of planned school improvements
Though the pricetag now exceeds orginial estimates by more than two million dollars, supporters are urging the supervisors to find the funding.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 06:10:18]
[IN Q=And when we did the math.]
((AND WHEN WE DID THE MATH AND MADE THOSE COMPARISONA, WE WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE COST AND SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT IS NOT OUT OF LINE AND I BELIEVE IF YOU EXMAINE ALL OF THAT INFORMATION, YOU'LL REACH THAT CONCLUSION, TOO. SO THEN IF WE KNOW THAT THE NEED IS REAL, THE COST IS REASONABLE, THEN I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, CAN THE COUNTY AFFORD IT? BUT I WOULD ASK YOU, HOW CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO FULLY FUND THIS PROJECT.))
[SUPER=01-Linda Palmer/Glenvar Parent;]
[RUNS=:23]
[OUT Q=not to fully fund this project.]
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=None]

Last night, the supervisors also dealt with the controversial Comprehensive Plan.
They delayed final approval until January, to give the Roanoke Regional Homebuilders and other critics an opportunity to review the document, and take part in a December work session.

[E-Legislative-Pay]

The timing may have been wrong for state lawmakers to increase their office budgets and special meeting pay this year.
The state Supreme Court is deciding that.
But just what are politicians worth?
A citizen advisory commission -- headed by two former governors -- hopes to decide just that.
Ellen Qualls reports.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Now you]
[SUPER=@Wilkins; :00]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :11]
[SUPER=@Thomas; :33]
[SUPER=@file; :45]
[SUPER=@Marye; :54]
[SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:03]
[RUNS=1:25]
[OUT Q=Qualls, news 7, Richmond.]
(([sot 13:34:27]
((DEL. VANCE WILKINS/R-AMHERST: NOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN CONVENED I BELIEVE TO PROVIDE COVER FOR US. WHEN YOU RECOMMEND A HIGH SALARY, THEN WE CAN VOTE FOR IT.))
[runs:08]
Vance Wilkins is against a pay raise.
He says it would be dangerous to the concept of public service.
Virginia senators make 18- thousand dollars in straight salary -- with more for expenses.
Delegates make a little bit less.
In North Carolina, they pay them 13-thousand-951 dollars a year.
West Virginia pays 15- thousand even.
But Maryland shells out 29-thousand-700.
[sot 13:26:52]
((DEL. VIC THOMAS/D-ROANOKE: I GO IN THE OFFICE EARLY MORNING. AND I'M THERE UNTIL LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, UNLESS I'VE GOT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OR WHATEVER. AND PEOPLE COME THROUGH MY DOORS-- THEY DON'T EVEN KNOCK. THEY JUST WALK IN.))
[runs:12]
Most Virginia lawmakers say they spend much more than full-time hours on a part-time job.
And 750- dollars A YEAR is NOT a lot for office expenses.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:14:00]
[IN Q=I now]
((SEN. MADISON MARYE/D-SHAWSVILLE: I NOW HAVE THE ONLY OFFICE PROBABLY IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT SHARES HALF OF A DOUBLE WIDE TRAILER.))
[RUNS:07]
[OUT Q=wide trailer.]

[sot standup]
Even Delegate Vance Wilkins -- who opposes a pay raise -- acknowledged that most lawmakers would be better off financially if they got beat or quit.
UVA professor Larry Sabato actually recommended an eight thousand dollar raise and then scaling them to cost of living increases.
Governors Holton and Baliles say they will have a recommendation by December 2nd.
Ellen Qualls, N7, Richmond.))

The strongest hurricane of the season is still lingering off the coast of Honduras this moring.
More than 45- thousand people have been evacuated from coastal and low- lying areas.
And nearly all 75- thousand people living in Belize City have evacuated.
[SUPER=03-Cancun, Mexico;]
[4:07:44]
As Mitch moves slowly westward, toward Mexico's northern Yucatan peninsula, tourists in resorts like Cancun and Cozumel are also scrambling to get out.
The hurricane has been downgraded to a Category Four storm, but forecasters say it's still very strong and dangerous.
(----------------)

[GYMNAST-SUIT]

It's now up to a Texas judge whether 17-year-old Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu (moh-chee-AH'-noo) can legally become an adult.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=@File;]

Moceanu's parents apparently have agreed to it, and today a state district judge will consider the deal.
The settlement was reached yesterday after Moceanu and her parents met face-to-face in their first talks since she ran away last week and filed a lawsuit to get control of her earnings.
Moceanu claims her dad was squandering her trust fund.
It's not clear how much money -- if any -- is left in the trust.
(----------------)
[Birthdays]
[SS=none]
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT ]
[in-Q=Wed]
[RUNS=1:15]
[out=back to you.]

[E-Lake-Water]

A new Smith Mountain Lake water quality group is on the job..
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Franklin Co.;]

These experts in science, health and business now want to make sure the lake water stays clean.
[SUPER=04-File Tape;]

They plan to monitor construction, livestock and boats that pollute the water.
They also want to present test results from the Health Department, Ferrum College and the D-E-Q so the public doesn't panic.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 12:34:57]
[IN Q=The quality of the lake]
((PAUL CALHOUN/SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE CHAMBER PARTNERSHIP: THE QUALITY OF THE LAKE IS GOOD. THERE AREN'T ANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW. AND IF THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE FUTURE, WE'RE GOING TO GET A HANDLE ON THEM NOW AND MAKE SURE THEY DON'T BECOME A REALITY. THAT'S THE NUMBER ONE HOPE FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Paul Calhoun/Smith Mt. Lake Partnership;]
[RUNS=:18]
[OUT Q=business community]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

In the past, businesses have lost money when reports of E-Coli at the lake scared customers away.
The group meets again on November 16th.
(------------)

[E-Parkway-Trees]

Boots and shovels were the order of the day along the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.]

Friends of the Parkway is spearheading an effort to preserve the area's view-shed and ecology by planting trees.
With help from local children, Roanoke College, and some area businesses, several trees were planted near Milepost 125 yesterday.
Friends of the Parkway says the children are a pivotal part of ongoing preservation, because they can teach the next generation the importance of protecting natural areas.
(------------)

[Forest-Fires]

The Jefferson and George Washington National Forests are dousing campfires.
As of Friday, no campfires will be allowed in the forests because the extremely dry weather has increased the danger of forest fires.
Smoking will also be banned unless the smoker is in a vehicle or building.
Stoves, grills and lanterns that use liquid fuel will be allowed though.
The restrictions will remain in place until heavy rain soaks the ground.

Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality says contaminants at the former Disston plant no longer pose an "unacceptable risk" to human health or the environment.
The waste materials were left by the previous owner of the site-- Sandvik Incorporated-- which is now assisting in the cleanup.
Work is on-going to evaporate solvents from the soil.
Sandvik hopes to find another industry willing to buy and use the property.
(----------------)

[MACYS-Parade ]

The traditional Macy's Thanksgiving day parade may be a little less colorful this year.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-New York, NY; ]

New restrictions are already limiting the size and design of the famous balloons that adorn the parade.
Now the mayor the big apple says if it gets too windy----
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[4:17:59-4:18;07]
[IN Q=]
(( GIULIANI:THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THERE WILL BE NO BALLOONS... SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE PAST. ))
[SUPER=01-Rudolph Giuliani/New York City Mayor;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE PAST.]
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]

Last year, a spectator was seriously injured when the wind whipped the Cat in the Hat balloon into a lamppost -- part of which ended up hitting her head.
The city has since placed restrictions on size and design of balloons -- including banning any over 70 feet high or 70 feet long.
(----------------)

Now here's another look at today's top local stories:
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The murder trial of Emmitt Cressell, Junior, gets underway today in Independence.
Cressell is charged with the brutal 1997 murder of a black man in Grayson County.
The other defendant in the case-- Louis Ceparano-- entered a plea back in May.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

Lynchburg has a new plan to revitalize its downtown area.
City Council hopes new lighting, benches and sidewalks, as well as later hours for stores and restaraunts will draw more people to the riverfront area.
The city expects to spend five million dollars over the next five years to implement the plan.
(----------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Melanie]

The new Smith Mountain Lake water quality group is on the job.
They held their first meeting yesterday.
They hope to monitor construction, livestock and boats that pollute the water so tourists and customers aren't scared away by reports of e-coli and other water quality problems.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
(Kimberly mic hot)
(///////////////)
[2 shot=Mel/Kmc]
(Kimberly ad lib weather)
(-------------)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(toss)
[ANCHOR=Steve]
(live ad lib, tease tomorrow)
[Double Boxes=Melanie/Kimberly and Steve]
(ad lib bye)